What Good Could Possibly Come From So Much Bad

It is no secret that my favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” However, I never imagined Jesus would use relational estrangement — and utter rejection from those you least expect it — for good.

But then it happened.

Last year, a precious woman reached out to me over an unrelated post I shared on social media. While asking how she could pray for me, she revealed a heartbreaking situation that sounded all too familiar. I should not have been surprised by what she disclosed. But I had felt like my situation was such an uncommon one that nobody else had experienced anything remotely similar. How wrong I was!

When I read her words, my heart immediately filled with compassion! I felt her pain and desperation because I was in that type of situation myself. I quickly related to the hopelessness erupting in her heart and shared my story with her because I did not want her feeling alone for a second.

During our initial conversations, I realized that my pain had a divine purpose. Jesus had used it for good to help me encourage another woman walking through a similarly devastating situation. He also used it to drastically increase my empathy and understanding toward those whose hearts have been torn apart. I know those things would not have occurred had I not gone “through the fire” myself.

I know it is hard for us to envision the good Jesus will bring about when we are engulfed in bad situations, circumstances, or surroundings. But God is faithful to His Word and promises to use all things together for our good as believers, according to His purpose and plan for our lives.

It may not happen right away, and we may not clearly recognize the good when it does. But God cannot thwart His promises, and nothing goes to waste when we are in His mighty, sovereign hands.

What good has Jesus brought about from a devastating situation in your life? Let me know in the comments.